Ramsey: Arsenal Should Defend the Opening Quarter Better

Aaron Ramsey believes that the results away from home against the big teams scuppered their title charge in the latter stages of the season. The Welshman insists that the Gunners should learn to keep it tight in the opening few minutes and build on that performance in the second half.

The Gunners got off to a brilliant start, staying on top of the Premier League for 128 days, more than any other club in the top four. However, a 6-3 loss to Manchester City, followed by a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool and a 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge closed any chance they had of securing the top spot.

To add to their problems, Ramsey, who was their star player this season, was out for more than three months with a thigh injury. His absence was a major blow to Arsene Wenger's side as they huffed and puffed against the top sides with Theo Walcott also ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

However, Ramsey insists that they can take a lot of positives from the season, having exorcised their ghosts of starting the season poorly and are now looking forward to ending their wait for the Premier League title.

"We got off to a really good start, that's something we had been lacking over the last few years. We came out of the blocks firing and were top of the league for long periods of the season," Ramey told www.arsenal.com.

"Everyone was really excited and looking forward to it, thinking that we've got a great opportunity. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. I think the results away from home against the so-called bigger teams have been damaging and that's what's cost us in the end.

"In all of those games we conceded early on and going to these places is difficult, never mind going a goal down [near the start]. I think it's important just to stay in the game and frustrate them.

"With the quality we have, we always know we can create opportunities. The main thing is just to stay in the game in the first half and it will open up a lot more in the second half - and hopefully we can take full advantage," he added.